proliferation
Americannoun
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the growth or production of cells by multiplication of parts.
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a rapid and often excessive spread or increase.
nuclear proliferation.
Etymology
Origin of proliferation
First recorded in 1855–60; proliferate + -ion
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
What is more likely, and probably more dangerous, experts say, is the now-heightened long-term risk of global proliferation.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026
These changes were accompanied by inflammation, DNA damage, and increased cell proliferation.
From Science Daily • Mar. 19, 2026
Prapas Sornchaidee, of the Thai Air Force, said Cambodia -- which has pledged to stamp out scam operations before May -- should cop to their proliferation and elicit international support to combat them.
From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026
The proliferation of Bay Area taskmasters is being fueled by a new wave of AI tools.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026
Between meals he stored these green seedpods in damp, unclean Ziploc bags—an excellent culture for the proliferation of mold.
From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
